Options on budget single blade traditionals

19-3ben

19-3ben

Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Messages
4,666
I've dipped my toe in the waters of traditional/slipjoint folders. I've found that for my purposes, I really like the single blade styles. My primary experience is with a Buck 302, Solitaire. It's very light weight and slim.
I thought I'd love Stockmans, but frankly I just don't find myself using the multiple blades. All i really need on a day to day basis is one good sharp blade, so I can cut weight, and being so slim makes it nice especially in office attire.

I want to explore the world of single blade siljoint/traditionals more. One thing I do want, which creates a little bit of a hiccup, is to keep to fairly traditional scale materials (bone or wood) but at least in theory I'd like to also keep the price to... let's say somewhere in the >$40 range? lower is better?

I see case has the slimline trapper lineup within my budget, but they are all synthetic unless i bump up to $50. Same thing for the copper lock. No, the extra ten bucks won't kill me. It's just means that I have to go over my completely arbitrary budget.

It looks like Boker Tree Brand has a genuine bone model for about $30 at knife center. But at 4" blade, it might be a tad large.

Is there anything glaringly obvious I'm missing here? Do i just need to pony up the extra $10 and get a Case slimline trapper with bone?

I'm not looking to go super cheap and go with Rough Rider or similar.
 
Case Jr. Sodbuster might fall in your price range. Excellent knife. I prefer Case's high carbon steel.
 
When you say "or similar" would a Taylor Schrade made in PRC be out of the question? I saw one recently with buffalo horn scales that looked nice and classy.
Bear and Sons -made in the good 'ol US have a good range but with mixed reviews on quality- I just got a stockman "red stagbone"(bone) and its great.
IMG_1095.jpg
its in the recent small lockbacks thread
 
Last edited:
Case teardrop? Case mini copperlock?
You might look at Utica/Kutmaster. Though I wish one could be assured that they have stopped mixing carbon and stainless in knives that are supposed to be one or the other.

And you might try flea markets, estate sales, garage sales, antique malls. Sometimes everything is outrageously overpriced, sometimes you find a treasure for cheap.
 
What about Opinel?
Many size options, wood can be shaped to suit...
 
You might look at an A. Wright & Sons single blade barlow, rosewood, even with shipping I think you will be under $40.00.
 
Rough Rider makes a few single blade slipjoints. Sodbuster, Coke Bottle, Barlow, Toothpick, and a couple other patterns.
I have the large coke bottle with white bone covers. Great knife.
 
I've been enjoying my buck 110. It's a bit bulky but carries well in a pocket sheath and it's in your budget limit. Otherwise I will second the sodbuster. That's a great pattern :thumbup:
 
A.G. Russell's website might have something in your price range. His A.G. Russell branded knives are of exceptional quality at a very reasonable price and I've heard good things about his War Eagle brand.

I'll second the Case Sodbuster Junior. Bone versions can be found in your price range.
 
Grohmann knives (of Canadian Belt Knife Fame) has their mini lockbacks on sale for under $50 in their clearance section.
r340s.jpg
 
Perhaps you are not shopping around to find the best prices.

You can get a Case Chestnut Bone CV Sod Buster Jr. for under $40 shipped.
 
I'd like to point out that the Boker you have your eyes on is 4" closed. Most traditional folders are measured by handle length, which makes more sense when you think about it.
 
jc57 said:
Perhaps you are not shopping around to find the best prices.

You can get a Case Chestnut Bone CV Sod Buster Jr. for under $40 shipped.
Click to expand...

I'll second this suggestion. This is what I paid for mine and it is a great knife. Very slim but still plenty big enough for most cutting tasks.
 
Opinel, Mercator, MAM, Aitor, Douk-Douk, Svord peasant knife. Victorinox has a number of single blade knives. Pallares Solsona. All under$50, most under $20. This list is far from exhaustive.
 
Antique stores and flea markets. You can find vintage examples that modern traditional knives are based on for a fraction of the cost and often in decent shape. Plus the vintage factor adds a whole new level of coolness.

Sent from my N9519 using Tapatalk
 
Check out the Case swayback gent - single wharncliffe blade, slim and easy to pocket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top